Green Tea

A few decades ago, if you were to sip a cup of tea, it most likely would have been a Lipton tea bag sweetened with a sugar cube and maybe a splash of milk. But fast-forward a decade or two and countless research studies later where tea, particularly green tea, has been enjoying its time in the health spotlight.

Long known for its powerful health benefits in Japan and China, people from all over the world have been drinking green tea for thousands of year. Green tea is produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant, the same plant that produces black and oolong teas. What makes the green tea is its method of production: Fresh leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant are steamed creating green tea leaves that can be brewed and consumed or extracted and used in capsules or beauty products.

This darling of the Camelia Sinensis plant is known for its key component epigallocatechin gallete, or EGCG. This antioxidant has been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach, and skin cancers. Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage. There is not yet enough accurate data to determine whether green tea can assist in weight loss, lower blood cholesterol levels, or protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

What science does know is that green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, which are disease-fighting compounds that can help prevent a number of illnesses and conditions.

Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant drugs less effective

Not recommended for children

INGREDIENTS

Green tea contains about one third of the caffeine as coffee. A typical cup of green tea includes about 1 teaspoon dried green tea leaves to one six ounce cup of 180 F water. Generally, green tea is brewed for 2-3 minutes. The longer it brews, the more bitter the taste.

Green tea contains the highest levels of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help rid the body of free radicals. Free radicals that circulate in the body have been linked to heart disease, certain cancers and degenerative conditions because the damage the cell's DNA structure. Antioxidants, like polyphenols neutralize free radicals and prevent them from inflicting harm on the cell's structure.

An average cup of green tea contains between 50 to 150 mg polyphenols.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Even though green tea is a nutritional powerhouse, it should not be consumed by just anyone. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not drink or take green tea in any form. Because of its caffeine component, individuals with anxiety disorders, heart problems, kidney disorders, stomach ulcers should also avoid green tea.

Additionally, there are many potentially dangerous drug interactions that can occur while consuming green tea. If you take certain antibiotics, aspirin, lithium, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, blood thinners, chemotherapy medication, or oral contraceptives, talk to your doctor before you brew yourself a cup of green tea.

Even though green tea has shown limited success in aiding weight loss, there is no strong evidence to support the theory that drinking green tea will help you lose weight.

CONCLUSION

Green tea has exploded in popularity in the West in the past years because of its health benefits, derived from antioxidants. From cancer to heart disease and possibly weight loss, the advantages of making a cup or two of green tea a daily part of your diet routine are numerous.

Even though there are many diet products on the market that include green tea extracts, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that green tea will make a marked difference in helping you lose those unwanted pounds. But studies are currently underway to test this hypothesis further and provide more comprehensive information on the role of green tea and diet.

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User Feedback

While research has not proven green tea makes one lose weight, I agree that I have lost weight since I have been drinking green tea, and it definitely keeps me from wanting a lot of junk food.

posted Sep 7th, 2014 5:52 pm

Irene Rivera Kjergaard

If you've never tried green tea before, don't stray too far from the restroom. It will clean out your system. You will lose weight if you're switching to green tea and cutting down on your soda intake.

I want to try this product for trial if it is good weight loose then i will buy.

posted Sep 14th, 2011 2:17 pm

Bryanna w.

I had a baby 9 months ago. Before I got pregnant I weighed 160. After having my baby I worked out everyday for 15 minutes. A couple monthes later i realized it wasnt helping anything I still weighed 155. Now I drink 8 glasses of green tea before and after each meal. I also work out 15 minutes 3 times a week and now weigh 135 I LOVE. Ive never weighed less then 150.

posted Apr 27th, 2011 4:34 pm

Marvine

I have been drinking Green Tea for about 2 months or so. I have lost a total of 20lbs in about 3 months Not sure if it helped me lose weight but what it did help was control my appetite and when that was controlled making better choices to eat healthy food was easy. I walk every morning about a mile, I have noticed that since i have decreased drinking the Green Tea i am hunger more frequent.

posted Sep 18th, 2010 11:11 pm

Guna

Agreed, Green tea is very good for health reasons. I am not sure if it helps in reducing wieght just by itself. it may be that because we are drinking this, we skipped eating/drinking unhealthy foods (chips, soda..etc).

posted Aug 9th, 2010 11:04 am

Krista

You can switch up the taste a bit by sticking a litre of green tea in the fridge and adding a few ice cubes! Or add a little lemon juice for some zest! Sometimes I even mix green tea with other herbal teas! It only tastes boring if you drink it the same way every time ;) Experiment! I am Green Tea's number one fan.

posted Jan 26th, 2010 8:44 pm

Raj

Yes, Agree with 2Cent. Just started as a regime drink and my diastolic has gone down from 9.2 to 8.0. My son, a Dr. cautioned me and asked not to make abuse. However, i intend to take at least 3 cups. Hold on - i never took any medicine for HBP. Take care ... all of you

posted Dec 8th, 2009 3:13 am

beccak

i jus started drinkin it like 2 wks ago i heard of it before but i never believe an didnt care to try it but finally decided to give it a try an i lost about 4 lbs. so far well see if it keeps workin i havent even begun the exercise part yet! i like it so far

posted Sep 19th, 2009 3:22 am

Couture Barbie x

Im currently on day 2 of this diet now, Its going ok, but jesus it tastes so boring.

i love green tea. i swapped my many cups of coffee for green tea, i have lost weight but im guessing its cos im not taking coffee whitner now. i feel more alert and my skin looks bright . also its very refreshing and i dont seem to need biscuits with it so there again may be a reason im loosing weight. but on a WHOLE id recommend it to anyone.

posted Aug 18th, 2009 8:46 am

Ravan

Yeah.. it is very good to have green tea.. what is the diet.. just have green tea(Drink instead of the capsules) ..

posted Jul 13th, 2009 6:17 pm

diygreentea

Bottom line... green tea is good for you... but why not make green tea yourself... check the link after the jump...

posted May 5th, 2009 11:11 pm

Bryanna

it's awesome...

posted Apr 20th, 2009 3:18 pm

NC gal

it seems to be a good idea to drink instead of reaching for a soda or coffee...and if you can't stand drinking straight water every day. I have a ton more energy, have noticed some weight change (though I just switched from drinking regular tea to green tea), and enjoy it a lot.

posted Mar 10th, 2009 9:44 pm

amazing-grace111

when i starting drink green tea i observed its feel me better specialy on my wieght.u can try it and see the benifits on your health...

posted Mar 1st, 2009 11:25 pm

2cent

if ur switching to luttle or no soda.. Yes u will lose a whole lot of weight. I have. Additionally, my skin and fresh bright and feels rejuvenated. Again, it's the water. I've replaced 8 cups of water for 8 cups of green tea. But only use 2 bags of tea to keep from having too much. U will never no if side effects exist or not. Afterall testing is just beginning. Better safe than sorry

posted Nov 2nd, 2008 4:30 am

Dallas Cowboy Fan

Green Tea is Great and i have Lost a Lot of weight because i switched from Soda to tea... do it and you will see too!!!

posted Sep 19th, 2008 12:49 pm

hiddenXsmile

i drink green tea, basically it just generally makes you feel GOOD. your mood, your health and it gives you some weight loss.

naughty23093

Green tea is good for you, but it seems like you have to drink so much to see the benefits

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